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| United States Patent |
6,266,220
|
|
Lahoud
|
July 24, 2001
|
Internal surge protector device
Abstract
An internal power protection device which prevents the flow of power to an
electronic component in response to an over-voltage or under-voltage
signal condition. When the power supplied to the component is within a
normal safe operating range for components of that type, the device allows
power to flow through it to the power input terminal of the component.
When the power supplied to the component is outside the normal safe
operating range for components of that type, the device prevents power
from flowing to the power input terminal of the component.
| Inventors:
|
Lahoud; Sami S. (7610 Del Rey La., Houston, TX 77071-1416)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
873141 |
| Filed:
|
June 9, 1997 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
361/58; 361/104 |
| Intern'l Class: |
H02H 009/00 |
| Field of Search: |
361/18,56,58,111,119,103,104,90
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 3813578 | May., 1974 | Tiffany | 361/58.
|
| 4726638 | Feb., 1988 | Farrar et al. | 439/620.
|
| 4878145 | Oct., 1989 | Lace | 361/118.
|
| 5404542 | Apr., 1995 | Cheung | 395/750.
|
| 5488534 | Jan., 1996 | Rau et al. | 361/56.
|
| 5768600 | Jun., 1998 | Williams | 395/750.
|
| 6014750 | Jan., 2000 | Williams | 713/300.
|
Other References
Electronic Buyers' News ; Jan. 19, 1998 n 1092 p. 60 (4).
Electronic Buyers' News ; May 4, 1997 n 1056 p. 3 (2).
Computer Shopper ; Aug. 1997 , v 17 n8 p. 91(2).
|
Primary Examiner: Leja; Ronald W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tripp; Karen B.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for managing the flow of power from an internal power supply of
an electronic apparatus to one more electronic components inside said
electronic apparatus, wherein at least one of said electronic components
is a computer hard disk drive, said internal power supply having one or
more output terminal and said one or more electronic components having
each an input terminal, the device comprising:
one or more circuit breking means corresponding to the number of said one
more electronic components;
said one or more circuit breaking means having each an inpuetd terminal and
an output terminal;
each of the input terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to any of said one or more output terminals of said internal
power supply of said electronic apparatus; and
each of the output terminals of said one more circuit breaking means
connected to a different input terminal of said one more electronic
components.
2. A device for managing the flow of power from an internal power supply of
an electronic apparatus to one or more electronic components inside said
electronic apparatus, said internal power supply having one or more output
terminal and said one or more electornic components having each an input
terminal, wherein at least one of said electronic components is a CD ROM
drive, the device comprising:
one or more circuit breaking means corresponding to the number of said one
or more electronic components;
said one or more circuit breaking means having each an input terminal and
output terminal;
each of the input terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to any of said one or more output terminals of said internal
power supply of said electronic apparatus; and
each of the output terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to a different input terminal of said one more electronic
components.
3. A device for managing the flow of power from an internal power supply of
an electronic apparatus to one or more electronic components inside said
electronic apparatus, said internal power supply having one or more output
terminal and said one or more electornic components having each an input
terminal, wherein at least one of said electronic components is a floppy
disk drive, the device comprising:
one or more circuit breaking means corresponding to the number of said one
or more electronic components;
said one or more circuit breaking means having each an input terminal and
output terminal;
each of the output terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to any of said one or more output terminals of said internal
power supply of said electronic apparatus; and
each of the output terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to a different input terminal of said one or more electronic
components.
4. A device for managing the flow of power from an internal power supply of
an electronic apparatus to one or more electronic components inside said
electronic apparatus, said internal power supply having one or more output
terminals and said one or more electronic components having each an input
terminal, wherein at least one of said electronic components is a
motherboard, the device comprising:
one or more circuit breaking means corresponding to the number of said one
or more electronics components;
said one or more circuit breaking means having each an input terminal and
an a output terminal;
each of the input terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to any of said one or more output terminals of said internal
power supply of said electronic apparatus; and
each of the output terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to a different input terminal of said one or more electronic
components.
5. A device for preventing the flow of power from an internal power supply
to a computer motherboard, wherein said device, said internal power supply
and said computer motherboard are inside a computer housing which also
houses a computer, wherein said internal power supply has at least one
output terminal and said computer motherboard has at least one input
terminal, and wherein said device is attached in said housing at a point
between the output terminal or terminal of said power supply and the input
terminal or terminal of said computer motherboard, said device comprising:
one or more circuit breaking means corresponding to the number of said
input terminal of said computer motherboard; wherein
each said circuit breaking means has an input terminal and an output
terminal;
each input terminal of said circuit breaking means is connected to an
output terminal of said internal power supply; and
each output terminal of said circuit breaking means is connect to an input
terminal of said computer motherboard.
6. The device according to claim 5 wherein said circuit breaking means
prevents the flow of power to the computer motherboard in response to
either an over-voltage or under-voltage condition.
7. A device for preventing the flow of power from an internal power supply
of an electronic apparatus to multiple internal electronic components of
said apparatus, where said internal power supply has one or more output
terminals, and where each of said multiple electronic components has an
input terminal, said device comprising:
a plurality of circuit breaking means;
each of said circuit breaking means having an input terminal and an output
terminal;
each of the input terminals of said plurality of circuit breaking means
connected to any of said one or more output terminals of said internal
power supply of said electronic apparatus;
each of the output terminals of said plurality of circuit breaking means
connected to a different one of said input terminals of said multiple
electronic components; and
an enclosure housing said plurality of circuit-breaking means.
8. The device according to claim 7 wherein said connections between the
output terminals of the internal power supply and the input terminals of
the circuit breaking means are each independent one from the other.
9. A device for preventing the flow of power from an internal power supply
of an electronic apparatus to multiple internal electronic components of
said apparatus, where said internal power supply has one or more output
terminals, and where each of said multiple electronic components has an
input terminal, said device comprising:
a plurality of circuit breaking means;
each of said circuit breaking means having only one input terminal and a
plurality of output terminals;
each of the input terminals of said plurality circuit breaking means
connected to any of said one or more output terminals of said internal
power supply of said electronic apparatus;
each of the output terminals of said plurality of circuit breaking means
connected to a different one of said input terminals of said multiple
electronic components; and
an enclosure housing said plurality of circuit-breaking means.
10. A device for managing the flow of power from an internal power supply
of a computer to one or more electronic components inside said computer,
said internal power supply having one or more output terminals and said
one or more electronic components having each an input terminal, the
device comprising:
one or more circuit breaking means corresponding to the number of said one
or more electronic components;
said one or more circuit breaking means having each an input terminal and
an output terminal;
each of the input terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to any of said one or more output terminals of said internal
power supply; and
each of the output terminals of said one or more circuit breaking means
connected to a different input terminal of said one or more electronic
components.
11. A device for preventing the flow of power from an internal power supply
of a computer to multiple internal electronic components of said computer,
where said internal power supply has one or more output terminals, and
where each of said multiple electronic components has an input terminal,
said device comprising:
a plurality of circuit breaking means;
each of said circuit breaking means having an input terminal and an output
terminal;
each of the input terminals of said plurality of circuit breaking means
connected to any of said one or more output terminals of said internal
power supply;
each of the output terminals of said plurality of circuit breaking means
connected to a different one of said input terminals of said multiple
electronic components; and
an enclosure housing said plurality of circuit breaking means.
12. A computer comprising:
a housing;
an internal power supply having one or more output terminals;
one or more internal electronic components each having an input terminal;
one or more circuit breaking means for protection of said one or more
electronic components;
said one or more circuit breaking means each having an input terminal and
an output terminal, wherein the input terminal of each said circuit
breaking means is connected to any one of said one or more output
terminals of said internal power supply, and the output terminal of each
said circuit breaking means is connected to the input terminal of one or
more of said electronic components.
13. A device contained within a computer housing, wherein said computer
housing houses a computer, said device for preventing the flow of power
from an internal power supply of the computer to at least one internal
electronic component of the computer, wherein said device attaches at a
point between said internal power supply and said electronic component,
and wherein said internal power supply has at least one output terminal
and said electronic component has at least one input terminal, said device
comprising:
circuit breaking means having an input terminal connected to an output
terminal of the internal power supply, and
at least one output terminal corresponding to and connected to an input
terminal of said internal electronic component of the computer.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein said device is attached inside said
housing to multiple electronic components located inside the computer
housing.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein said device is attached independently
inside said housing to each of said electronic components inside said
housing.
16. The device of claim 13 wherein the circuit breaking means only
activates when power supplied by said power supply is outside acceptable
operating range for said electronic component.
17. The device of claim 13 further comprising a housing.
18. The device of claim 13 wherein said circuit breaking means is
configured to prevent the flow of power from the internal power supply of
the computer to the internal electronic component of the computer when the
power from the power supply is greater or lesser than a safe operating
range for said internal electronic component.
19. A method for protecting at least one computer device located inside a
computer housing from power surge caused by the computer's internal power
supply located inside said computer housing, wherein said device is
electrically connected to said power supply, said method comprising
inserting in said electrical connection, between said power supply and
said device, a power protector which is triggered to stop or alter the
flow of power to said device when the power from said power supply is not
within an acceptable operating range for said device.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein a separate device protector is provided
for each device inside said computer housing to be protected.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein a single device protector is associated
with multiple devices inside said computer housing to be protected.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein said device protector comprises a
circuit breaker.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein said device protector comprises a fuse.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein said device protector also comprises a
diode.
25. The method of claim 19 wherein said device protector comprises a diode.
26. Inside a computer housing providing a housing for an internal power
supply and one or more computer components comprising a computer connected
to or controlled by said internal power supply, an apparatus for
protecting at least one said computer component, located inside said
computer housing and connected to or controlled by said internal power
supply also located inside said computer housing, from the flow of power
from said internal power supply, wherein the apparatus is capable of being
inserted between and connected to said internal power supply and to said
computer component, and whereas said apparatus comprises a power protector
that will when connected of to said internal power supply and to said
computer component, upon activation, stop or alter the flow of current
from said internal power supply to said computer component.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said power protector will become
activated when power supplied by said power supply is not within an
acceptable operating range for said computer component.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to novel, improved methods and systems for
managing the flow of electricity to computer and other electronic hardware
components and in particular to a method and apparatus to protect the
components from voltage and power surges which can damage the equipment
when the levels supplied to the electronic components surpass normal safe
operating ranges.
BACKGROUND
Devices powered by an electric power supply generally have a voltage or
power range across which they normally may operate safely. These devices
may include computers and computer systems, computer components, power
supplies, logic boards, hard disk drives and processors. Voltage or power
fluctuations in the line connecting the power supply to the device being
powered can push voltage or power beyond these normal operating ranges,
and risks damaging the equipment.
For example, a computer motherboard is typically designed to be operated at
voltages between +12 volts and -12 volts. The computer's power supply is
powered from an alternating current (AC) wall outlet, and generates direct
current (DC) power to run the computer system. The power supply
transmitting the DC operating power may fluctuate, or surge, from time to
time, causing the voltage at the power terminal of the component to rise
above the +12 V DC limit, or sink below the -12 V DC limit. The safe
operating range designed into the motherboard typically takes into account
minor surges or dips in power. Therefore, the motherboard may typically
operate without any danger to its components even if the operating voltage
is pushed slightly beyond its normal operating range. When the operating
voltage rises above the upper safe operating limit (an over-voltage
condition), or sinks below the lower safe operating limit (an
under-voltage condition), the motherboard or components thereof may be
damaged or even destroyed by the excess power. Consequently, the end user
of the motherboard may spend hundreds of dollars to replace damaged
components or even an entire system. A need therefore exists for some
method or device that will protect the sensitive internal components of a
computer system or other electronic device from these dangerous power
surges and dips.
Others have attempted to solve the problems attributable to DC power
fluctuations with external surge protectors that plug in to AC wall
outlets. The power cord which supplies the AC power to the electronic
system is plugged into an external surge protector device, often in the
form of a multiple device strip, which protects against AC fluctuations
that physically occur outside of the electronic device or system between
the wall AC outlet and the system's internal power supply. The general
purpose of this approach is to manage the fluctuations at a location
closer to the point of origin. The objective of placing the surge
protector at this location is to send only safe AC power to the internal
power supply, which in turn, should produce only safe DC power. There are
several drawbacks to this approach. Most notably, these external surge
protectors do not address the problems that arise from power fluctuations
occurring inside the system from the power supply unit itself. Although
the system is protected from dangerous external AC power fluctuations,
there is nothing between the power supply component and the other
sensitive electronic components to protect them from fluctuations caused
by the power supply. The invention disclosed herein provides protection
for electronic components from these types of power fluctuations by
managing the flow of power from the internal power source to the internal
components of a particular electronic device or system.
Others have attempted to solve the problems attributable to internal power
fluctuations with devices that constantly monitor the voltage or power
output from a power supply, and then shut down the power supply output
when an over-voltage or under-voltage situation is detected. See U.S. Pat.
No. 4,951,171 issued on Aug. 21, 1990 to Tran, et al. There are several
drawbacks to this approach. First, the Tran invention requires the use of
an active circuit to compare the power output level with a reference
voltage level, and then determine whether the supply should be shut down.
The protection circuit itself must also be powered from some dependent or
independent source, because it includes active electronic components.
Further, the invention requires numerous, costly components to make up the
circuit which is used to monitor the power supply, and to generate the
variety of different signals that enable or disable the power supply
according to the result of the comparison. Due to the large number of
components needed to create the circuit, and their relative complexity,
the invention disclosed in Tran is not cost-efficient, and results in an
increased cost of manufacture for which the end user ultimately pays.
Further, there is no "add-on" circuit which can be installed in units that
do not come with the protection circuit factory installed.
Therefore a need exists to provide effective, cost-efficient protection of
electronic components from power fluctuations that may occur in an
on-board or dedicated power supply.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There have now been invented and disclosed herein certain new and novel
electronic system protection devices which have the advantage over those
heretofore proposed in that they provide complete protection against
over-voltage and under-voltage signal conditions without the need for
sophisticated monitoring circuitry. Further, the invention as disclosed
herein consists of relatively few components that are passive in nature,
therefore requiring no outside power source. Further, due to the small
number of components and their simplicity, the device provides protection
from power fluctuations in both a cost-efficient and space-efficient
manner.
The design, as disclosed herein, allows for convenient mounting within the
system. As disclosed, the device may be mounted directly to the power
supply, directly to a specific component, or anywhere there-between. The
invention provides for easy installation on currently existing systems,
because it may be sold as a "kit." The kit may contain all necessary
plugs, attachments, adaptors and/or other equipment necessary for
installation. Additionally, the user will be provided an instruction
booklet detailing the steps and methods for installing the invention into
an existing system. Manufacturers may receive similar kits containing
similar equipment and instructions for installation into future units.
The invention may protect one or more components operating at the same
normal safe operating range at the same time, or protect each component
individually. Finally, the invention, as disclosed herein, may
individually protect several components operating at different normal safe
operating ranges.
In summary, an internal surge protector of the kind herein disclosed
provides better and broader protection from both over-voltage and
under-voltage signal conditions, in a more cost-efficient and
space-efficient way because it consists purely of passive components; and
because its design allows for easy installation both during manufacture,
and as an add-on.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and advantages of this invention and a better
understanding of the principles and details of the invention will be
evident from the following description taken in conjunction with the
appended drawings in which:
FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of a generic electronic system utilizing one
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1B shows a block diagram of the invention from FIG. 1A in a different
location within the same system.
FIG. 1C shows a block diagram of the invention from FIG. 1A in a third
different location within the same system.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention
as used to protect a computer hard drive.
FIG. 3A shows a block diagram of a generic electronic system utilizing a
second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3B shows a block diagram of the electronic system from FIG. 2A
utilizing an alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a computer system utilizing one embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular, with reference to FIGS.
1A, 1B, and 1C, there is shown schematically one embodiment of an internal
power protection device that illustrates the operation of this invention.
An enclosure 10 houses the components of the invention. The power output
from a power supply 16, flows from the output terminal 17 of the power
supply 16 and into the input terminal 11 of the power protection device
which is indicated generally as dash-lined box 20. After entering the
device 20, through the input terminal 11, the power flows into the circuit
breaking means 12. In the present embodiment of the invention, the circuit
breaking means consists of a fuse 13 in series with a diode 14. The fuse
13 may be made of any material known in the art, and is chosen according
to its power handling capability such that it will physically break the
power flow through the device when the power supplied by the power supply
16 rises above the positive voltage end, or sinks below the negative
voltage end, of the safe operating range of the component it protects.
Depending on the implementation, the circuit breaking means 12 might be
implemented in a semiconductor device. The diode 14 is a generic diode
chosen according to its bias characteristics such that it will prevent
power flow when the power supplied by power supply 16 sinks below the
negative voltage end, or rises above the positive voltage end of the safe
operating range of the component it protects. If the power supplied by
power supply 16 is within the normal safe operating range of the
component, then the fuse 13 and the diode 14 allow the power to flow
normally through the device to output terminal 15. It should be noted that
the circuit breaking means is not limited to a series combination of a
fuse 13 and diode 14. The fuse 13 may be used without a diode, and vice
versa. Further, any other circuit breaking means known in the art which
will prevent the flow of power to an electronic component in response to
an over-voltage or under-voltage condition may be used, either alone or in
combination with the disclosed or any other circuit breaking means. When
the device 20 operates within the normal safe operating range of the
component 19 it protects, the power flows from output terminal 15 into the
input terminal 18 of the protected electronic component 19 and powers it
for normal use.
The device, 20 may be placed inside the power supply housing, or at any
point clearly between the power supply 16 and the component to be
protected 19, or within the housing for the component to be protected 19.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1A, the device 20 is not
directly attached to either the power supply 16 or the protected component
19, but may be connected to both the power supply 16 and the protected
component 19 via wiring, or some other connective and conductive means, at
any point there-between, as shown in FIG. 1A. In an alternative
embodiment, the input terminal 11 of device 20 may be attached directly to
the output terminal 17 of the power supply 16, as shown in FIG. 1B. In
another embodiment, the output terminal 14 of device 20 may be attached
directly to the input terminal 18 of the protected component 19, as shown
in FIG. 1C.
FIG. 2A shows a preferred embodiment of the invention for protecting a
computer hard disk drive. Device 30 is connected between a computer power
supply and a hard disk drive. Input terminal 31 connects to the output of
a computer power supply line. Two circuit breaking means 32 permit the
flow of power along voltage lines 33-34 to the output terminal 35 when the
voltage level on the lines 33-34 is within the normal safe operating range
of the hard drive. When the voltage level on lines 33-34 are outside the
normal safe operating range of the hard drive, circuit breaking means 32
block power flow to the output terminal. Each of the circuit breaking
means 32 protects a separate voltage input from the power supply. In other
words, one of the circuit breaking means 32 protects against surges in the
+5 V DC line 33, and one protects against surges in the -5 V DC line 34.
Voltage lines 36-37 are grounded in accordance with a typical power supply
line pin-out configuration. Output terminal 35 connects to the hard drive
power line.
FIG. 2B depicts the preferred embodiment of the invention for protecting a
computer motherboard. Device 80 is connected between a computer power
supply's motherboard output and a computer motherboard. In the displayed
embodiment, input terminal 82 connects directly to the output terminal of
a computer power supply, however, it will be evident to those skilled in
the art that the invention may be connected at any point between a power
supply output and the input terminal of a computer motherboard. The input
terminal 82 is configured to match the pin-out specifications of a
computer power supply. The normal safe operating ranges for voltage lines
87a-87l are the typical voltage levels output by each specific output pin
on a 12-pin power supply. For example, voltage lines 87b, 87j-l are +5 V
DC lines, voltage line 87i is a -5 V DC, voltage line 87c is a +12 V DC
line, and voltage line 87d is held at -12 V DC. Lines 87e-87h are held at
the power supply's ground.
In addition to the 12 voltage lines 87a-87l, enclosure 80 also encloses
seven circuit breaking means 83-86 which are individually configured to
protect the motherboard from voltage fluctuations in voltage lines
87b-87d, 87i-87l. For each of circuit breaking means 83-86 the power flow
to a motherboard will be enabled provided that the voltage on each of the
individual voltage lines 87b-87d, 87i-87l remains within the individual
normal safe operating voltage ranges of each voltage line 87b-87d,
87i-87l. If any of the individual voltage lines 87b-87d, 87i-87l rises or
drops out of the normal safe operating range, the circuit breaking means
83-86 will prohibit the passage of power to the output terminal 81 and
thus to the computer motherboard.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the invention may comprise a plurality of
surge protection devices bundled together in an internal "power strip" to
simultaneously protect multiple components of an electronic system or
device that operate either at the same or a plurality of different power
levels. In FIG. 3A, the device 40 accepts a plurality of power outputs 41
from the power supply 50 at input terminals 42, and routes the power
through a plurality of surge protector devices 43 which are connected in a
one-to-one correspondence to the protected components 46.
Each of surge protector devices 43 corresponds to a particular individual
power output 41, and individually facilitates or prevents the passage of
the output power to one of the multiple electronic components 46. At each
of surge protector devices 43, if the individual power output level is
within the normal safe operating range of the individual component being
protected, then the surge protector devices 43 will allow the passage of
power through an output terminal 45, to the component 46. If the
individual power output level is not within the normal safe operating
range of the individual component being protected, then the surge
protector devices 23 cuts off the flow of power to the component 46,
preventing the excess power from damaging the component 46. The use of
multiple surge protector devices 43 allows for greater flexibility and
reliability because it ensures the protection of each individual component
46 without regard to the power level supplied to any other device. The
invention as disclosed in FIG. 3A allows for broader and more flexible
protection of multiple electronic components that operate at a plurality
of different power levels.
As disclosed in FIG. 3B, the invention may include a plurality of circuit
breakers bundled together in an internal "power strip" to simultaneously
protect multiple components of an electronic system or device that operate
at the same power level. In FIG. 3B, the device accepts only a single
power output 41 from the power supply 50 at input terminal 42. Device 40
then splits the power line and routes it through a plurality of surge
protector devices 43.
Each of surge protector devices 43 corresponds to and protects a particular
individual electronic component 46. At each of surge protector devices 43,
if the power output level is within the normal safe operating range of the
individual component being protected, then the surge protector devices 43
will allow the passage of power through an output terminal 45, to the
component 46. If the power output level is not within the normal safe
operating range of the individual component being protected, then the
surge protector device 43 cuts off the flow of power to the component 46,
preventing the excess power from damaging the component 46.
In a typical application, if the power output level at output 41 is not
within the normal safe operating range, then all of the surge protector
devices 43 should prevent power flow to the individual component 46 they
protect, since the power level flowing through each device should be the
same. However, the actual power level flowing through any one of the surge
protector devices 43 may be different from the others due to dissipation
caused by any number of factors. The use of multiple surge protector
devices 43 allows for greater flexibility and reliability because it
ensures the protection of any individual component 46 without regard to
the actual power level supplied to other devices operating within in the
same normal operating range. The invention as disclosed in FIG. 3B allows
for broader and more flexible protection of multiple electronic components
that operate at the same power level.
FIG. 4 shows a computer system utilizing one embodiment of the invention in
a typical fashion to protect the components which make up the computer
system. A power supply 70 powers the computer system. A typical computer
power supply has two separate power output terminals, one power output
terminal 72 is a twelve pin output used to power the computer's
motherboard 78, while the other output terminal 71 is a 4-pin output which
provides power to any other components and peripherals 75-77.
According to FIG. 4, the internal protection device 60 comprises multiple
circuit breaking means 62a-62d, which individually protect a hard disk
drive 75, a CD ROM drive 76, a floppy disk drive 77, and a motherboard 78.
In the normal course of operation, the power flows through the output
terminals 71 and 72 of the power supply 70, and into the internal
protection device 60 at input terminals 61, 63. In the depicted
embodiment, power from the output 71 flows into input terminal 61 while
power from the output 72 flows into input terminal 63.
Inside the device 60 the input terminal 61 splits and route the power
through three separate circuit breaking means 62a, 62b and 62c. Each of
the circuit breaking means 62a, 62b, and 62c individually protects the
hard drive 75, CD ROM drive 76 and floppy drive 77, respectively. If the
actual power level received at input terminal 61, and flowing to any of
the circuit breaking means 62a, 62b and 62c is outside of the normal safe
operating range for any of the individual components, then that individual
circuit breaking means 62a, 62b and/or 62c will prevent the flow of power
to the particular component it protects 75, 76 and/or 77, independently of
the power level flowing to any other circuit breaking means 62a-62c. If
the actual power level flowing to any of the circuit breaking means 62a,
62b and 62c is within the normal safe operating range for components
operating at .+-.5 V, then that individual circuit breaking means 62a-62c
will facilitate the flow of power to the particular component 75-77 it
protects, independently of the actual power level flowing to any other
circuit breaking means 62a-62c.
Power from output 72, which drives the motherboard 78, flows into input
terminal 63 of internal protection device 60. From input terminal 63 the
power is routed to circuit breaking means 62d which is selected to provide
protection for a computer motherboard 78. If the actual power level
flowing to the circuit breaking means 62d is outside of the normal safe
operating range for the motherboard 78, then the circuit breaking means
62d will prevent the flow of power to the motherboard 78, independently of
the power level flowing to other circuit breaking means 62a-62c. If the
actual power level flowing to the circuit breaking means 62d is within the
normal safe operating range for the computer motherboard 78, then the
circuit breaking means 62d will facilitate the flow of power through
output terminal 67 to the motherboard 78, independently of the power level
flowing to any other circuit breaking means 62a-62c.
The invention as disclosed above allows a flexible means to provide broad
over-voltage and under-voltage protection to all of the sensitive
components in an electronic device or system. As described above, the
internal power protection circuit according to the present invention
provides an efficient means for managing the flow of electricity to
computer and other electronic hardware components in order to protect the
components from voltage and power surges which can damage the equipment
when the levels supplied to the electronic components surpass normal safe
operating ranges. By allowing for independent protection of separate
components, the invention allows for partial continued operation of
electronic devices and systems following a power surge because the device
only shuts down components that are endangered when the power surge pushes
the supplied power outside the normal safe operating range of a particular
component.
In addition, the invention accomplishes this purpose without the need for
sophisticated, active monitoring circuitry which continuously monitors the
power output to determine if the power is within the safe operating range.
The passive elements in the invention instantly and effectively prevent
over-voltage or under-voltage signal conditions from damaging expensive
electronic hardware.
Additional advantages and modifications will be readily evident to those
skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not
limited to the specific details and representative devices shown and
described. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as
defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
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